の間に | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + の間に [noun A] + と + [noun B] + の間に

Description

の間に after a noun for a stretch of time means "during": the main clause is one event that happens at some point inside it. The noun takes の before 間に.

、。

During the summer holidays I read three Japanese books.

、。

A parcel came while I was out.

、。

I'll go to the bank during the lunch break.

× 夏休み間に → 夏休みの間に

の間に or の間

Without に, のあいだ間 means the main action fills the whole period, so its verb is a continuing one, often with ずっと. の間に picks out one event inside the period.

。

I fell asleep during the lesson.

、。

I stayed awake through the whole lesson.

× 授業の間に、ずっと起きていた → 授業の間、ずっと起きていた

Between two things

With two nouns joined by と, の間に means "between".

。

There is a park between the station and the school.

。

Nagoya is between Tokyo and Osaka.

After a verb, 間に takes no の: こども子供がねている寝ているあいだ間に. That use is its own grammar point.

Examples

、。

During summer vacation, I traveled a lot.

、。

It seems someone came while I was away.

、。

I'll go to the bank during lunch break.

、。

I gained weight during the winter.

。

Nagoya is between Tokyo and Osaka.

、。

There was an important phone call during the meeting.

、。

I made dinner while the children were sleeping.

、。

I want to acquire a new skill during the break.

、。

Many things happened during this past year.

、。

Let's tidy up the room while he's not here.

。

Is there a convenience store between the station and the hotel?

、。

I was reading a book while waiting.

References

の間にBunpro